Hatoful Boyfriend

Is this Visual Novel Bird-tastic or Bird-orrible?
 Let's find out in our last review of the month of School Beginnings!





Upon completing Hatoful Boyfriend, I sat and wondered what to take from it.
  Was it a comedic reverse-romance "Dating Sim?" Perhaps it a parody of romance and Visual Novels as a whole? Though, a more likely conclusion is that it is some of both; a Visual Novel that, itself ridicules Visual Novels for quite silly themes while pulling a decent job itself to hold the comedy/romance up to an "Enjoyable" level.
  However, I'm getting to far ahead; let's discuss Hatoful Boyfriend.

Hatoful Boyfriend is a romantic comedy "Dating Sim" Visual Novel with a linear story progression. You play a female human who attends St. PigeoNation's Institute, in a world dominated by birds; where you must balance education (That being wisdom, charm, and vitality) with you social life; and possibly find true love.  

 The main character; you, is a player named female human (The only human in the story) who attends St. PigeNation's Institute, starting as a second year, and ending as a third. She is a generally likable protagonist, which may not be a big deal; but oh boy, upon beat Shizune's Bad Ending (Katawa Shoujo) you will praise this women, because she follows the player, and gives you a pretty good amount of choices (Though not as many as say, Sim Dating; which is a free flash game mind you.) 
  Over-all, the main characters is a good one; generally one you will be able to connect with, and one good at heart. 

Following the main character, who plays as a "mirror" to the player, we have several main Bird love-interest. These are as follows: Shuu  Iwamine, Nageki Fujishiro, Kazuaki Nanaki, Yuuya Sajazaju, Okosan, Ryouta Kawara, and Sakuya Le Bel Shirogane. However, for the sake of "I only played two routes," we'll only look at those two characters I "Routed"

The first is Sakuya Le Bel Shirogane; a cliche wealthy French Fan-tail Pigeon. As a character I disliked him, though that is seeing how I dislike the pretentious rich aristocrat cliche all together! 
   However, to say he didn't get development would be a lie; however, you can see it coming if you know the cliche. (Spoilers; Which is, he is oppressed by his father.)  
  is rather disappointing, seeing how I could have seen other things come into play as the "Reveal" or perhaps not make Shirogane a huge jerk the entirety of his path.

The second character I routed was Nagaki Fujishiro, a freshmen who likes books; following the quiet student cliche for the sake of his pursuit. However, with the time spent, you really get development with him, and, with him not being annoying, or a "Jerk" he really grows on him.
  However, the problem I found was the limited amount of time spent with him. Hatoful Boyfriend is about one hour, one and a half hours long; and that isn't enough time to establish a complete character whom I would "Fall in love with,"
  Atleast, not here; which, lessens the impact, however tragic it may be.

As for side-characters; they are probably the most interesting of the group, meshing comedy and romance the best in the visual novel. Specifically, the side-plot of Azami (The Law Abiding Bike gang leader) and Blaster (Her lover) is some of the funniest and heart-warming material in this visual Novel; I love them. 
 Along with those two, we have Kenzaburou Urushihara (Atleast, he is the other one I've met) who, is likable; as owner of the cage, he is a charming individual who pulls his weight in the emotional situation.

As for the story... It left an Ill taste in my mouth. They *Attempt* To mesh a comedic/romantic/tragic plot-line, however it fails for the feeling of parody, the short amount of time we know the characters, and the general suddenness which it occurs. 
   And to be frank, I was expecting as much. Only one notable example can be thought of as "Done right," and that is of-course "Adventure Time," which blends the story quite successfully while keeping each element intact. 
   Hatoful Boyfriend tried there best, however, it was doomed to fail due to the material and the heaviness they attempted to convey. It should have been more simple, much longer, or perhaps more willing to deviate from the norm when it came to the development of the characters.

As for music; it is simple, following the seasons which the story takes place in. Backdrops are colorful, and brightly toned (In the style of anime) which, I didn't find really working for what they decided to do with the birds, whom seem to be cutouts of actually birds. This contrast really is distracting, and I wished they would have gone for a more "Real" backdrop, or more catroonish birds.
  The comedy is also a-bit bear, and I pondered where all the bird puns were. When starting I though there was going to be too many, but now I think there wasn't enough. There should have been more bird puns.
  Other then that, the comedy is decent... At times...

Over-all, Hatoful Boyfriend is a quick parody, and that's what I took from it. If I were to compare it to another Visual Novel I've played, it would be "Katawa Shoujo,"
  Both take on a quite unbelievable scenario, this being dating bird, that being dating the crippled; however, the difference is while Hatoful Boyfriend takes itself as a silly game for the most part, attempting to defend itself with "Depression through tragedy," Katawa Shoujo is such a natural game that it invokes the player through the love, rather then through uncalled for tragedy.
  Over-all, I felt Hatoful Boyfriend didn't have a consistent identity, and tried to much. In the end, it couldn't have covered everything; which made everything seem partial.
  Even though it is such that; I do recommend it; although not the full game, rather the demo of the game which holds a good amount of content, and is free.

6/10